Fire Policies

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) requires two (2) new safety-related requirements on institutions that participate in federal financial aid programs. These requirements are:

*Revisions to the Higher Education Opportunity Act for Fire Safety and reporting were proposed in 2008. Therefore, only one year of data is currently available. 

If a fire occurs in any building, Arcadia community members must immediately notify Public safety at 215-572-2999. Public Safety will immediately summon the Fire Department to the campus.

If any member of the Arcadia community finds evidence of a fire that has been extinguished, and the person is not sure whether Public Safety has already responded, the community member should immediately notify Public safety to investigate and document the incident.

The campus fire alarm systems alert community members of potential hazards. Arcadia community members are required to heed an activated fire alarm system, and evacuate a building immediately. Use the nearest available exit to evacuate the building. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS.

All residential and non-residential University buildings are equipped with automatic fire detection and alarm systems which are monitored by Public Safety Dispatch, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year.

Hot Work Permit: ​Is a permit system registration process that is intended to educate the parties involved in any construction, of hot work hazards and to implement control measures to help mitigate them.​

The Department of Student Affairs Residence Life performs residential inspections approximately six (6) times during the school year, usually during holiday breaks from classes. Residents are notified beforehand of the inspection process. The inspections are conducted to identify safety violations as well as conditions that may be detrimental to the health or well being of the residential community.

The inspections include a visual examination of electrical cords, sprinkler, smoke detectors and other life safety systems.

The following high voltage electric and open coil appliances are prohibited in all University housing: Air conditioners, air purifiers, sunlamps, space heaters, hot plates, toaster ovens, ceiling fans, refrigerators larger than 3.2 cubic feet, lamps with exposed bulbs, halogen lamps without approved covers, coffee makers and irons without automatic shut off capability.

The following items ARE permitted in the Oak Summit and Manor apartment kitchens ONLY: George Forman or similar grills, electric skillets, hot plates and toaster ovens.

Each residence hall room is limited to one (1) microwave and two (2) refrigerators. All microwaves in traditional or suite style housing MUST be leased through an authorized University vendor.

Microwave ovens are not permitted in Grey Towers Castle. Triple and Quad occupancy rooms in Grey Towers Castle may have a maximum of two (2) refrigerators. Five and Six person occupancy rooms in Grey Towers Castle may have a maximum of three (3) refrigerators.

Also, prohibited are candles, incense, potpourri burning units, Bunsen burners, bottled gas appliances and grills and other devices with open flames that burn unattended.

Fire: Rapid oxidation of combustible material accompanied by heat, light and smoke of combustible material, which is found outside of its normal appliance, whether or not it is extinguished prior to arrival of emergency personnel.

Fire-related deaths: Number of persons who were fatalities because of a fire incident, including death resulting from a natural or accidental cause while involved in fire control, attempting a rescue, or persons escaping from the fire scene (an individual who dies within one (1) year of injuries sustained as a result of a fire.

Fire-related injuries: Number of people receiving injuries from fire-related incidents, including an injury from a natural or accidental cause who received medical treatment at a local medical facility. This includes first responders attempting to control the fire, attempting a rescue, or persons escaping from a fire scene. Persons may include students, faculty, staff, visitors, firefighters or any other individuals.

Estimated U.S. Dollar Loss Related to Fire Incidents: Estimated total U.S. dollar loss of both contents and structure or property destroyed because of a fire incident, not loss of business.

Evacuation Procedures Posted: When a fire alarm is activated, evacuation is mandatory. DO NOT USE ELEVATORS. Evacuate the building using the nearest exit and proceed to the nearest point of safety to begin the accountability and assessment process.

Fire Safety Training Programs: There are a number of fire prevention programs to be delivered to the occupants of residence halls and other members of the University community, conducted by persons of authority within the University or Cheltenham Township.

Buildings Equipped with Fire Alarm Systems and Smoke Detectors: All Residence halls and apartment style housing, on and off campus i.e., (Oak Summit and Manor), as well as non residential buildings on and off campus, are equipped with smoke or heat detectors and fire alarms that are monitored at the Public Safety Dispatch station twenty four (24) hours a day and seven (7) days a week.

Emergency Evacuation Drills (formerly known as fire drills): The number of supervised scheduled drills or actual events at campus residence halls that are facilitated and certified by the Division of Public Safety, in cooperation with members of Student Affairs Residential Life personnel. Various drills are conducted throughout the year in both residential and non residential buildings, to familiarize students, faculty and staff with emergency procedures. Each semester, emergency evacuation drills are conducted at the residence halls. Emergency evacuation drills are conducted yearly in non residence halls by the Department of Public Safety.